Viral Tea Ke - : In-House

Viral Tea Rebrands After 5 Years: From A Vantage Point

Viral Tea Ke Writer — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 01:56:26 +0300

For a long time, Viral Tea Ke was sometimes erroneously referred to as a gossip website or tabloid. This is no longer the case because for the first time in its five-year history, Viral Tea has a new name.

Kenya’s fast-rising digital media platform has officially rebranded to Vantage Ke, marking a bold transition from what was once perceived as a gossip digital publisher to a more expansive, forward-looking news and multimedia identity aimed at the next generation.

The move signals a deliberate evolution for the platform, which launched in February 2021 and quickly built a loyal Gen Z and young millennial audience by blending breaking news with sharp, internet-native storytelling.

With the new name, Vantage Ke positions itself as more than just a viral content hub—leaning into authority, perspective, and depth across multiple coverage areas, from current affairs to politics, business, entertainment, sports, and aviation, a first for any digital publisher in Kenya.

From Viral Hits to Strategic Storytelling

Since its inception, Viral Tea has carved out a niche as a fast, bold, and culturally tuned-in media outlet. Its content strategy—mixing news, politics, entertainment, business, and sports with digestible explainers and trend-driven angles—allowed it to punch above its weight in Kenya’s crowded digital news space.

Data from analytics platforms consistently placed it among the most visited news sites by audiences aged 18 to 34, a demographic increasingly shaping how news is consumed, shared, and monetized.

Collage of the new Vantage Ke logos

The rebrand to Vantage Ke reflects a shift in editorial ambition: less focus on unverified gossip for its own sake, more emphasis on perspective-driven journalism that still moves at the speed of the internet.

"In other words, we're a serious brand, attractive to everyone even in the corporate space. While we still maintain the virality that shot us up to popularity in the first place, we are officially one of the most respected digital publishers in the country, and the nature of the content has motivated us to go an overall level higher," Vantage Ke's founder and editor-in-chief, Marvin Chege, explained the reason for the rebrand.

Award-Winning Growth Meets Reinvention

The transition comes on the back of a major industry recognition. In 2025, the platform was named Best News & Entertainment Platform in Kenya at the eighth Annual African Excellence Awards hosted by UK-based MEA Markets.

That win effectively validated its influence and credibility, reinforcing its status as a serious player in Kenya’s digital media ecosystem—not just a social media-driven outlet. With that milestone secured, the rebrand reads as a calculated next step rather than a reset.

"While the media space, not just in Kenya but globally, is going through tough times, and we're not spared, we've not killed Viral Tea necessarily but rather made it better, maybe fixing the one thing that was preventing us from being supercharged in this ever-changing media environment," Chege adds.

AvKenya Still in the Cockpit

One of the platform’s standout innovations—AvKenya, launched in 2023—remains central to its identity even under the new brand.

As Kenya’s first aviation-focused segment by a digital-native outlet, AvKenya has built authority in a niche often overlooked by mainstream media. From breaking aviation incidents to simplifying aircraft technology and explaining the sector’s role in national events, the segment has consistently delivered specialist coverage in an accessible format.

Its success highlights Vantage Ke’s broader editorial play: own underserved beats, explain them better, and make them relevant to a younger audience who make up the majority of Kenya's population.

A Name That Signals Perspective

The shift from “Viral Tea” to “Vantage” is more than cosmetic. It reflects a repositioning from reactive, buzz-driven content to a platform that frames stories with context, insight, and clarity. In media terms, it’s a pivot from amplification to interpretation, and as Chege quips, "kuoga na kurudi soko (taking a shower and going back to the market)

The new identity suggests a platform that not only reports what’s happening but also explains why it matters—especially to a generation navigating information overload, misinformation, and rapidly shifting social narratives.

This transition, as of now, is only a soft one, with readers and followers already seeing changes to the profile icons across the website and social media platforms. The rest of the transition consists of domain name changes to come in the course of the year.

The Bigger Picture

Kenya’s digital media space is undergoing a quiet but significant transformation, with younger audiences demanding speed without sacrificing credibility. Platforms that fail to balance both risk fade into irrelevance.

Vantage Ke is betting on a hybrid model: high-velocity publishing paired with sharper editorial framing. If executed well, the rebrand could cement its role as a bridge between traditional journalism and the algorithm-driven content economy—where attention is currency, but trust is the real long game.

For a platform that built its name on virality, the pivot to vantage might be exactly what keeps it ahead of the curve in its quest to inform, educate, and entertain...from a vantage point!

10 Most Read Stories On Viral Tea In 2025

Viral Tea Ke Writer — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 14:13:01 +0300

Records tumble every year, or so as they say. 2025 was no different as Kenyans' love for Viral Tea's stories grew...and so did our quality.

In 2025, Kenyans were more online than ever, and we can say without doubt that this was the year that some of our stories made history, all as we went toe-to-toe with some of the biggest media brands in the country.

Our online fans searched for it all: expressways, exam results, media personalities, Raila Odinga, among others...anything that sparked nationwide conversation, we were there, or we drove them.

You showed so much love and support for us since 2021 that a United Kingdom (UK)-based publication, MEA Markets, voted us as the Best News & Entertainment Platform in Kenya 2025 at the prestigious eighth Annual African Excellence Awards, and in 2025, we want to give you something back.

We have compiled 10 of our most-read stories on Viral Tea's website in 2025, a ranking that takes into consideration the number of pageviews. As aforementioned, some of them broke historical records;

A person using his smartphone. /FILE

US Company Gives Update On Construction Of Ksh466B Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway

Taking the lead is our story on Everstrong Capital, a US-owned infrastructure investment manager with a presence in both the United States (US) and Kenya, announcing plans to commence the construction of the Nairobi to Mombasa Expressway in 2026.

The company, through its Senior Advisor Kyle McCarter, announced on Friday, April 25, that construction of the 440-kilometre highway is set to kick off in the first quarter of 2026.

McCarter also shared that Everstrong Capital plans to submit an official feasibility study to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) for approval in May this year.

"Update on delivery: submitting feasibility study in May, looking for on-time approval from Kenha & PPP, financial close by end of year & construction beginning Q1 2026," McCarter announced.

This story trended for close to four days and garnered a total of 11,806 pageviews, earning its place as the most popular story on our website...ever!

OUT NOW: How To Check KJSEA Results 2025

Even before the Ministry of Education officially announced the release of the 2025 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), we got wind of a section of Kenyans receiving Short Messaging Service (SMS) texts on how to check the results.

On Thursday, December 4, teachers, parents, and learners were instructed to retrieve the results by sending the candidate’s assessment number to 22263, a service that cost Ksh30. Once the SMS was sent, users received the full KJSEA report, including the learner’s selected schools aligned to their career pathway.

"To check a KJSEA learner's selected schools, send their assessment number to 22263. The SMS costs Ksh30," stated a notice issued by Kenya’s main telecommunications provider, Safaricom.

This story, another record breaker with 8,495 pageviews, spread like wildfire across WhatsApp groups and social media, to the point of even overwhelming our servers. It taught us one thing: that Kenyans demand vital information such as exam results for their children, their friends, and loved ones, and they want it...like now!

Ruto: How Those Who Failed In KCSE 2024 Will Join University In September

We have to confess that this was one story that bewildered us. Usually...or what the elders used to tell us, anytime you fail in KCSE 2024, your chances of joining a university are slim. The Head of State, however, thought differently.

President William Ruto explained on Monday, January 13, how the mid-year Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) exam series will allow students who failed or missed them to join universities and tertiary institutions in September.

Speaking at Lenana School Primary, Ruto stated that the exam would be conducted in the middle of the year, between June and July.

He also expressed that the government was working on ensuring that the exams are marked on time to allow those who attain the required grades to join their colleagues during the September intakes.

The Head of State went on to reveal that the exams will target those who did not sit for the exams, those who performed dismally in some subjects, and those who were sick during the exam period, thus unable to take the exams.

"Even those who sat for the exams and may have failed in one or two subjects, and they want to repeat the exam, they will be given another chance," he stated, adding, "We will expedite the process so that those who perform well can join their colleagues who are joining universities in September."

KCSE 2024 Results Released: How To Check

Viral Tea provided simple steps for checking the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam results after they were released by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on Thursday, January 9, at the Mitihani House in Nairobi. According to CS Ogamba, 962,512 sat for the national examinations that concluded on November 22, 2024.

According to Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) CEO David Njegere, this represented a 7.19 per cent increase for the first time since 2020. This number is an increase from 899,453 students who sat for the same examination in 2023.

In his announcement, Ogamba announced that 17 subjects, including Maths, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry, recorded improvements, while 10 subjects, including English and Home Science, recorded drops in performance.

The guide quickly became an essential read, and the abrupt spike in traffic was an indication that the release caught the country by surprise. Only the online method was available as candidates were not able to access their KCSE results through SMS code. This was after it was discontinued before the release of the 2023 results, following complaints by parents and students over the years.

How To Check KJSEA Results 2025 Online

In this article, we provided a guide on checking the 2025 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) results online, as announced by the Ministry of Education on December 11.

Parents accessed the results online through the Ministry’s designated portal. By visiting https://kjsea.knec.ac.ke, they entered the learner’s assessment number and submitted it to view the full outcome, including subject scores and placement information.

The platform allowed users to download or print the result slip, and schools would also issue physical copies. Although the portal supported both mobile and desktop access, heavy traffic had potentially caused delays, and users were advised to retry if loading issues occur.

How To Check Grade 10 Placement for KJSEA Candidates 2025

Informing Kenyans is our motto and ahead of the reopening of schools in 2026, we provided another guide of checking the Grade 10 school placements for students who took the 2025 Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA).

Parents can find their child's placement by sending the KNEC assessment number via SMS to 22263 or by visiting the ministry's portal at placements.education.go.ke.

It is worth reminding that students must report to their assigned senior secondary schools by Monday, January 12, 2026.

What Happened To Jeff Koinange? Citizen TV Star Responds To Disturbing Rumours

The absence of renowned media personality Jeff Koinange from Citizen TV's prime time news bulletins sparked nationwide speculation, with disturbing online rumours claiming he had passed away.

Social media lit up after a wave of TikTok accounts posted claims that the veteran broadcaster had died. The unfounded rumours sparked panic among millions of his supporters and industry peers, several of whom reached out privately to confirm whether anything had happened.

Media personality Xtian Dela was among those seeking answers. In a WhatsApp chat he made public on his social media handles, Dela asked Koinange to verify he was okay as the online speculation escalated.

“Bro bro bro! You’re good? You’re safe? TikTok has me worried. They’re spreading rumors about your death. Just confirm you’re still here,” Dela wrote. Koinange responded almost immediately, dismissing the hoax with a short but calming reply, typing “Bro bro. I’m alive and kicking.”

Koinange’s absence from his Jeff Koinange Live (JKL) show on the country's most-watched TV station had been the talk of Kenya's digital space, with speculation rife regarding his status at the station, under Royal Media Services (RMS).

We reached out to sources at RMS, who told us that he had taken some personal time off, but did not disclose further details. They note that he still works for the media company. On December 10, he made his comeback to the station.

Arsenal Mourns Raila Odinga

The death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga brought the country to its lowest point this year, because this meant the loss of a political icon who has been present in Kenya for generations.

Odinga was a known and ardent supporter of English Premier League side Arsenal Football Club (FC), which joined millions around the world in mourning the death of Odinga, describing him as a “visionary leader and passionate supporter of progress and unity.”

In an official condolence message dated Wednesday, October 15, Arsenal extended its sympathies to the people of Kenya and Odinga’s family, lauding his “lifelong dedication to democracy and justice” as an enduring inspiration.

The late Raila was a staunch Arsenal fan and had attended the Gunners' home games at the Emirates Stadium in North London, United Kingdom (UK), on several occasions. However, his last visit, per his social media posts, was in March 2022 when the Gunners lost 2-0 to Liverpool.

US Govt Invites Kenyans To Teach Kiswahili In America; How To Apply

The United States (US) President Donald Trump administration introduced a rare opportunity for Kenyans interested in teaching in the American superpower. On Wednesday, April 23, the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi announced that the program was specifically for Kenyans who wanted to teach Kiswahili.

Through the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) program, selected individuals were to get the chance to teach Kiswahili in U.S. colleges and universities for one academic year, from 2026 to 2027.

The initiative aimed to expose American students to different cultures and languages by bringing in foreign language instructors to U.S. higher education institutions.

In the announcement, the U.S. Embassy urged interested candidates to submit their applications by May 16 this year. However, applicants must first verify that they meet the eligibility requirements for the program.

County Official Sonnia Nzilani Found Dead At Home

Makueni County was thrown into mourning following the passing of Sonnia Nzilani Musyoka, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture, and Tourism.

This was confirmed by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior. In a statement released on Saturday, November 22, the county boss revealed that she was found unresponsive at her home.

Nzilani gained nationwide attention after she came under fire for making controversial remarks that linked a girl’s death to her menstrual cycle. The controversy emerged earlier this year during the funeral of a 17-year-old girl who tragically lost her life in a crocodile attack while fetching water from the Athi River in Kithaayoni, Kathonzweni sub-county.

During the burial ceremony on Friday, January 17, Dr Nzilani suggested that the crocodile had attacked the girl because she was menstruating, claiming that crocodiles are drawn to the scent of menstruating women.

Not every story made it into the list of 10 to have drawn the most eyes in 2025; those that Kenyans searched for, shared widely, and kept referring back to. But some still sparked conversation.

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) released the list of over 3,000 shortlisted candidates for various positions following its nationwide recruitment exercise held in October 2025. KNEC issued its warning to parents over a scam in which individuals were encouraging parents to reach out for supposed exam results manipulation.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi stunned the country through his admission that returns from Money Market Funds (MMFs) are on the decline and aren’t likely to recover soon, just as Kenyans were embracing MMFs as a method of saving.

After more than two years of uncertainty, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was eventually reconstituted, with its first major assignment being the management of by-elections across several constituencies.

The contests in Mbeere North, Malava, and Kasipul, among other areas, quickly turned into an early measure of the opposition’s political muscle against the dominance of the broad-based government as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election.

See you in 2026!

Photo of a laptop and a phone at an office. /BUSINESS RADAR

Viral Tea Named Kenya's Best News & Entertainment Platform In 2025

admin — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 17:08:32 +0300

Viral Tea, Kenya's leading Gen Z digital platform, has been crowned the Best News & Entertainment Platform in Kenya 2025 at the prestigious eighth Annual African Excellence Awards, hosted by United Kingdom (UK)-based publication MEA Markets.

The award recognises Viral Tea's commitment to delivering timely, engaging, and credible news and entertainment content tailored to the modern Kenyan audience.

Competing against top-tier media brands from across the continent, the platform stood out in Kenya for its innovative approach to digital storytelling, audience engagement, and trend-focused reporting. Find the listing here.

Speaking after the win, Viral Tea’s editor-in-chief, Marvin Chege, hailed the recognition as a testament to the platform’s growth and impact since its inception in 2021.

Screengrab of Viral Tea being recognised as the best news and entertainment platform in Kenya in 2025. /MEA MARKETS

“In an era where Kenya's young people are demanding real-time content from media platforms to keep themselves up to date with the country's current affairs, this award is proof that authentic, quality-driven content still wins in the digital era. We’re proud to be shaping the conversation in Kenya’s news and entertainment space,” he remarked.

"This recognition for a very young media platform is indicative of us breaking barriers with bolder content, be it storytelling or regular news reporting that seeks to hold those in power and fame to account, providing an alternative voice to what isn't frequently covered in mainstream media."

The African Excellence Awards celebrate businesses and organisations driving progress and innovation across Africa.

MEA Markets noted that winners are selected through a rigorous process combining public nominations, market research, and assessment by an independent judging panel.

"The African Excellence Awards 2025 are a celebration of the businesses that are redefining industries and setting new benchmarks. From mining and manufacturing to healthcare and creative arts, Africa is teeming with excellence. The award highlights industries that have seen remarkable growth and innovation," states MEA Markets on its official website.

Awards Coordinator Kaven Cooper, in a press release, commented on the success of this year’s issue: “We’re delighted to present such a fine selection of updates and success stories as our winners – and the region’s stars – continue to improve business in their clients’ companies, professional development, and the future of enterprises everywhere. Congratulations on your well-deserved win in our esteemed awards programme for 2025!”

Founded with a mission to deliver fresh, relatable, and unfiltered reporting, Viral Tea has built a loyal following by blending news accuracy with a contemporary, youthful voice.

Rising from a digital startup to one of the most respected digital media platforms, the platform covers breaking news, politics, current affairs, entertainment, business, sports, and trending social topics, resonating with Kenya’s vibrant digital generation.

Moreover, Viral Tea holds pride in being the only media platform in Kenya, be it mainstream or digital, to have a segment dedicated exclusively to aviation. In it, coverage on one of Kenya's most underreported sectors ranges from breaking news, industry developments, human interest and politics tied to aviation, as well as explainers on the aviation sector.

On May 15, Viral Tea was recognised amongst Kenya's most popular news websites by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), grouped in the 'Others' category at 2 per cent readership, a rise from the 0.4 per cent readership in 2023.

There was some significance as the platform beat renowned players such as Ghafla and Mpasho, which garnered a 1 per cent readership compared to 3 per cent and 7 per cent respectively in 2023.

In 2023, Viral Tea was ranked second-best among 14 online media platforms nominated for the awards in the 'Online Media of the Year' category during the Pride of Kenya Awards (POKA).

With this latest accolade, Viral Tea now joins a select group of African media leaders recognised for their excellence and influence in shaping the continent’s news and storytelling landscape from a digital point of view.

Graphic of the State of Media Survey Report 2024 ranking Viral Tea among most visited news websites in Kenya. /VIRAL TEA KE

Media Council Ranks Viral Tea Among Most Popular News Websites

Viral Tea Ke Writer — Fri, 16 May 2025 13:49:46 +0300

Leading Gen Z digital platform Viral Tea has been recognised amongst Kenya's most popular news websites by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), four years since its establishment.

According to the State of Media Survey Report 2024 released on Thursday, May 15, Viral Tea was grouped in the 'Others' category at 2 per cent readership, a rise from the 0.4 per cent readership in 2023.

There is some significance as the platform beat renowned players such as Ghafla and Mpasho, which garnered a 1 per cent readership compared to 3 per cent and 7 per cent respectively in 2023.

Viral Tea's founder and editor-in-chief, Marvin Chege, expressed elation on the platform's increase in readership between 2023 and 2024, acknowledging it as a testament to the Viral Team's dedication and the unwavering support from its readers.

Screengrab of the State of Media Survey Report 2024 ranking the most visited news websites in Kenya. /MEDIA COUNCIL OF KENYA

"Since our inception in February 2021, we've aimed to deliver timely, relevant, and engaging content that resonates with our audience, particularly the youth. Being recognised by the MCK, an independent, national institution established to regulate and develop the media sector in Kenya, is another huge milestone ticked," he remarked, reminiscing about the far we have come in the four years.

"Our commitment to innovation and storytelling has also earned us a spot among Feedspot's top 20 news blogs and websites in Kenyan politics. This recognition places us alongside established media houses like NTV, Nation, and Citizen Digital."

He added that the achievements underscore our mission to provide authentic and impactful journalism. "We're grateful for the trust our readers place in us and remain committed to delivering news that informs, educates, and inspires. Thank you for being part of our journey. Here's to reaching even greater heights together," he concluded.

The study targeted Kenyans aged 15 and above and included all 47 counties across eight regions, with the survey sample proportionally distributed nationwide.

Findings revealed that social media has become the main source of news for most Kenyans, highlighting a shift in media consumption trends and the growing influence of digital platforms.

Statistically, 37 per cent of Kenyans used social media as their main source of news, followed by 31 percent who relied on TV. 26 per cent relied on radio to stay up to date and the rest included family/friends/colleagues at 3 per cent, online news websites at 2 per cent and newspapers at 1 per cent.

Viral Tea writes original news and informative articles covering local news, politics, entertainment, business and sports as well as unique features curated to satisfy the needs of the general public, especially the youth (the Millennials and Gen Z).

Demographics from Google Analytics and Similarweb, among others, indicate that Viral Tea is among the most-preferred news websites among users aged 18-39 who consume content in real-time, a shift from mainstream, where Kenyans had to wait for prime-time news bulletins to stay informed.

In September 2023, Viral Tea became the first digital native media house in Kenya to have a segment dedicated exclusively to aviation. Currently, it is the only digital platform in the country to have such a segment.

From this, we have broken major aviation news as well as provided evergreen content regarding how aircraft systems work, and how helicopters are used during events, among others, particularly those that have caught the eye of Kenyans.

Our articles have moreover been published in easy-to-understand language and details derived from research via respected aviation news websites and the internet, and are catchy enough for our readers to consume as much information as possible and be 'in-the-know' about aeroplanes

We have recently rebranded the segment to Sky Tea, mixing aviation journalism with our typical Viral Tea flair, aiming to serve turbulence with a side of truth.

In 2023, Viral Tea was ranked second-best among 14 online media platforms nominated for the awards in the 'Online Media of the Year' category during the Pride of Kenya Awards (POKA).

Graphic of the State of Media Survey Report 2024 ranking Viral Tea among most visited news websites in Kenya. /VIRAL TEA KE

Viral Tea, TUKO.co.ke Unite To Empower Journalism Students On Digital Disruption

Viral Tea Ke Writer — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 18:03:32 +0300

Viral Tea, Kenya's fastest-growing news website in the 2020s, recently joined forces with TUKO.co.ke, Kenya's number 1 News and Entertainment website, to host a masterclass at the United States International University-Africa (USIU) targeting aspiring journalists eager to navigate the era of digital disruption.

The masterclass was courtesy of TUKO.co.ke and was dubbed TUKO Educate Masterclass, which was also held at the Multimedia University of Kenya on April 7, 2024.

Speaking at the session on Wednesday, March 27, Viral Tea's founder and editor-in-chief, Marvin Chege, highlighted the importance of taking charge of your destiny.

Chege, who began the digital native media house in 2021, urged students to create content rather than wait for the perfect job, adding that the real movers and shakers in the industry of today are the ones who take the initiative and create their paths.

Marvin Chege (first-row centre) of Viral Tea and Chris Oyier of TUKO.co.ke (behind him) pose for a photo with students and lecturers after the TUKO Educate masterclass at USIU-Africa on April 27, 2024. /UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY-AFRICA

"Don't wait for opportunities to come knocking; create your own," he told the curious journalism students.

"The future belongs to those willing to roll their sleeves and make things happen. You don’t have to be employed; you can also create opportunities for other journalists to be employed.”

The sessions were led by Jacob Otieno, the Managing Editor, and Chris Oyier, the Social Media Manager at TUKO.co.ke, sessions which showcased real-world experience, sharing wisdom on navigating the media industry's ever-shifting atmosphere and drawing valuable lessons from personal experiences.

Otieno, a seasoned voice in Kenyan media, painted a vivid picture of the digital revolution sweeping through the industry. His message was clear: if you want to stand out, start before you’re ready.

Additionally, he stressed the importance of showcasing your work and continuously learning new skills. With the emergence of new content formats, such as reels and short, bite-sized articles, he urged students to embrace versatility to stay ahead of the curve.

"In today's media landscape, adaptability is non-negotiable. You've got to be willing to evolve with the times, constantly honing your craft and exploring new avenues for storytelling. While journalism can be saturated as a career, the opportunities in digital media are endless," he shared.

Oyier, a social media guru of TUKO.co.ke, shared his secrets for conquering social media as a digital media brand that engages millions of Kenyans daily, something he attributed to practice.

He emphasized the need for consistent learning and staying ahead of the curve, highlighting the importance of using technology and AI to upscale individual skills while maintaining ethical journalism.

"Building a social media brand isn't just about being popular; it's about being responsible. Embrace technology, but always remember the ethical principles that underpin journalism.

"Even on social media, journalists are expected to maintain the highest journalistic standards because a single mistake such as posting unverified information, could lead to tough legal actions."

Chege, Otieno and Oyier were also joined by another media industry veteran, David Indeje in offering valuable advice to eager students, with Indeje completing the discussion with some practical tips for aspiring journalists.

He encouraged students to get involved with media associations and familiarise themselves with media laws.

Indeje also highlighted the importance of internships and accreditation, urging students to take advantage of every opportunity to hone their skills and build their portfolios.

"Success in the media industry isn't just about talent; it's about aligning yourself with the correct media associations that will offer you a competitive advantage and expose you to the right opportunities you need to grow," he stated.

Jacob Otieno, TUKO.co.ke's Managing Editor, during the TUKO Educate masterclass at Multimedia University (MMU). /HANDOUT

Viral Tea Among Top 20 News Websites In Kenya- Feedspot Ranking

admin — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 16:03:52 +0300

Viral Tea, Kenya's fastest-growing news website since the 2020s, achieved another significant milestone in its three-year existence by being ranked among Feedspot's top 20 news blogs and websites in Kenyan politics.

The Founder of Feedspot, Anuj Agarwal in an email addressed to Viral Tea personally congratulated the 'Viral Team' for their outstanding contribution to next-generation online journalism amidst the rise of the Generation Z era.

"I would like to personally congratulate you as your blog Viral Tea Ke has been selected by our panellists as one of the Top 25 Kenya Politics Blogs on the web," wrote Anuj in part.

"I personally give you a high-five and want to thank you for your contribution to this world. This is the most comprehensive list of Top 25 Kenya Politics Blogs on the internet and I'm honored to have you as part of this!

A graphic of Viral Tea Ke website. /VIRAL TEA KE

Access here: 20 Best Kenya Politics Blogs and Websites

The best Kenya Politics blogs, according to Feedspot, feature thousands of blogs on the web and are ranked by traffic, social media followers & freshness.

Feedspot curates content from various websites and podcasts. It boasts an impressive collection of over 250,000 websites and podcasts listed on its site.

With more than 120 million users visiting Feedspot lists and over 30 million users directed to publishers’ websites from these lists, it has become a reliable source for discovering quality content on the web.

Rankings are based on traffic, relevancy, posting frequency, social media followers, engagement, domain authority, site age and Alexa web traffic rankings.

Though ranked 14th, Viral Tea enjoys great company among other major Kenyan news websites such as NTV, Nation, TUKO.co.ke, Kenyans.co.ke, Citizen Digital, People Daily, and Pulse Kenya among others which featured in the top 20 list.

Demographics from Google Analytics and Similarweb among others indicate that Viral Tea is among the most-preferred news websites among users aged 18-39 who consume content in real-time, without having to wait for prime-time news bulletins.

In September 2023, Viral Tea became the first digital native media house in Kenya to have a segment dedicated exclusively to aviation, and from this, it has broken major aviation news as well as provided evergreen content regarding how aircraft systems work, and how helicopters are used during events among others, particularly those that have caught the eye of Kenyans.

Our articles have moreover been published in easy-to-understand language and details derived from research via respected aviation news websites and the internet and catchy enough for our readers to consume as much information as possible and be 'in-the-know' about aeroplanes, or as we like to call it, to #NeverMissAStory.

Projects such as Spill The Tea weekly newsletter available exclusively on LinkedIn and collaborative storytelling projects such as the #KenyaWomenSeries affirmed the digital media house's true testament to deliver high-value content that is creative enough to maintain the loyalty of its current fans and attract new followers.

In 2023, Viral Tea was ranked second-best among 14 online media platforms nominated for the awards in the 'Online Media of The Year' category during the Pride of Kenya Awards (POKA).

"Coming second in itself is still a major milestone for us, even though we were unable to secure victory. It just shows how Kenyans are now recognising the hard work and innovation that we've put in to get Viral Tea to where it is now, a very fast-growing digital native media house in the three-year-old decade," commented Viral Tea's founder and editor-in-chief, Marvin Chege on the achievement.

Viral Tea was ranked second in the Pride Of Kenya Awards. /PRIDE OF KENYA AWARDS

Viral Tea Ranked Among Leading Digital Media Houses In Pride of Kenya Awards

Marvin Chege — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 14:08:59 +0300

For the first time since launching in February 2021, Viral Tea has been recognised among the top three digital media houses in Kenya in the Pride of Kenya Awards (POKA).

The 2023 edition ranked one of Kenya's fastest-growing and most innovative digital native media houses second among 14 online media platforms nominated for the awards in the 'Online Media of The Year' category.

Furthermore, POKA revealed that Viral Tea garnered 198 votes, behind Wueeh TV which secured victory with 471 votes in a hotly-contested race.

Reflecting on the achievement, Viral Tea's founder and editor-in-chief, Marvin Chege revealed that the milestone feat was achieved thanks to unwavering support from its loyal readers and fans.

Viral Tea was ranked second in the Pride Of Kenya Awards. /PRIDE OF KENYA AWARDS

"The recognition by Pride of Kenya Awards (POKA) serves as a true testament to how far we have come since 2021. We are very grateful for everyone who came out to support us throughout the nomination," he said.

Chege underscored the importance of the achievement, expressing hope that it may open more opportunities for collaborations, partnerships and possibly opportunities for upcoming journalists with a nose for news, especially on social media.

"Hopefully the runner-up finish kicks off a special 2024 and beyond for us as we continue to explore, innovate, understand and adjust to the demands of the digital media landscape.

"We aim to give more Generation Zs a voice after being underrepresented for years and adapt to their needs in terms of news and entertainment consumption. Who knows, this might be the year that we start to challenge the big boys in Kenya's digital media space," he added.

The awards ceremony was held for the winners on Friday, January 12 at Zetech University, Mang'u Campus in Ruiru, Kiambu County.

POKA prides itself on more than just an awards ceremony; it is a testament to the boundless creativity and talent that Kenya possesses.

Its journey began in 2005 with a profound mission - to empower, celebrate, and sponsor untapped talents in Kenya, and it continues to evolve with every passing year.

It aims to empower and celebrate Kenyan talents, recognizing the extraordinary in the ordinary, and providing them with the support and sponsorship they need to flourish.

"We believe that every artist has the potential to achieve greatness, and we are dedicated to nurturing this potential from the grassroots level to international acclaim.

"We envision a Kenya where artistic diversity and excellence are celebrated on the global stage. Our vision is to be the driving force behind Kenya's creative revolution, inspiring the nation to recognize, cherish, and support its talents and fostering an environment where dreams become a reality," states POKA on its website.

**The Viral Tea Story So Far**

Founded in 2021 and on its way to turning three years old in February, Viral Tea writes original news and informative articles covering local news, politics, entertainment, business and sports as well as unique features curated to satisfy the needs of the general public, especially the youth.

On LinkedIn, Viral Tea enjoys its status as the fastest-growing digital native media house, and though it took almost a year to breach the 10,000 followers gap from zero, it amassed close to 18,000 followers on the platform in a shorter time, in a period LinkedIn has emerged as a one-stop shop for Kenyans seeking credible and reliable information.

On WhatsApp, Viral Tea became the first digital native media house in Kenya to have its exclusive WhatsApp group where users join through an invite link sent upon request from the admin and interact with each other as well as catch up on news and multimedia content as it happens.

Projects such as Spill The Tea weekly newsletter available exclusively on LinkedIn and collaborative projects such as the #KenyaWomenSeries affirmed the digital media house's true testament to deliver high-value content that is creative enough to maintain the loyalty of its current fans and attract new followers.

A screenshot of Viral Tea's website. /VIRAL TEA KE

According to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2023, trust in news media in Kenya has remained high at 63 per cent compared to other countries, meaning that Kenyans still trust the media because of its independence in a highly polarised political environment.

On social media, WhatsApp emerged second as the top social media app in the country for news at 60 per cent, closely behind Facebook at 61 per cent. Overall, it is the top social media app at 83 per cent followed by YouTube (76 per cent) and Facebook (73 per cent).

Most Read Articles On Viral Tea Website In 2023

admin — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 14:20:10 +0300

The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) among others in the three-year-old decade has changed the world as we know it, amidst a shift to the technological era, with the media not being spared through changes set to align with the new age.

As a result, digital journalism has become a staple among readers looking for content to consume in real-time and anywhere, with any device ranging from a budget smartphone to a laptop, even a tablet, meaning journalists have been forced to come up with creative ways of storytelling to maintain and grow a loyal audience.

Viral Tea this year has gone the extra mile of crafting its stories using albeit fewer resources compared to the other bigger media houses during its evolution to being the fastest-growing digital native publisher in Kenya, in the new decade.

We have the latest in social media trends and the internet as our best friends as well as digitally-emerging platforms meant to enhance our storytelling, including visualised content.

We are not saying you ignore the other big media giants with far greater resources...follow them, but remember us too as we are among the first to go the extra mile with bold, fresh, well-packaged news in a timely fashion that you can find nowhere else, meeting your needs and building a loyal audience...all in just two years!

As such, we have compiled 10 of our most-read articles that you have enjoyed in 2023:

King Kalala Goes After Fake X Account Which Leaked Adriana Wanjiku Video

The story published by Viral Tea on October 26, 2023, is our most-read article this year, and a first-ever for lovers of entertainment and gossip.

Side by side of radio presenter King Kalala and Adriana Wanjiku. /INSTAGRAM.KING KALALA.ADRIANA WANJIKU

NRG Radio presenter Prudence Chepkirui Tonui, popularly known as King Kalala, had threatened to take legal action against a parody account on X (formerly Twitter) accused of leaking a series of explicit videos, one of which sparked uproar from Wednesday, October 25.

The video in question had captured a woman named Adriana Wanjiku in a non-consensual encounter with an unidentified man who was recording the whole proceedings. The man was seen undressing Wanjiku who was allegedly intoxicated and having intercourse with her as she helplessly lay on the bed.

The act was castigated by many Kenyans who demanded action to be taken against the male individual. Some netizens had also turned the heat on the parody account posing as King Kalala which leaked the video to the social media platform.

Taking to her official X account, King Kalala urged netizens to promptly report any parody account sharing disturbing content under the guise of her name, while exploring the possibility of taking legal action against the owners of all of them.

"It has come to my attention that some existing parody accounts have been sharing/distributing disturbing content, all while pretending to be me. Kindly help me report all those pages if you come through any of them. I'm currently looking into taking legal action against all," she appealed.

Legendary Radio Presenter Musungu Kyumbe Dies

Anytime a renowned personality in the media industry passes away, it grips the country's media space hard. As such, when a source tipped us regarding the demise of celebrated radio presenter, Musungu Kyumbe, we did not hesitate to report.

Also known as James Malombe, the renowned Mbaitu FM presenter passed away on Tuesday, November 28 at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi.

Former Machakos Senator, Johnson Muthama, was among the high-profile figures to mourn the loss of an icon in the media industry.

"In sorrow, I join the Kamba community in mourning the loss of the esteemed Kamba Radio Presenter, Musungu Kyumbe, whose departure has created a profound void.

"My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and the dedicated fans who cherished him. Poleni sana for this irreplaceable loss," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The news of his passing came as a profound loss to both the broadcasting community and those who tuned in to his distinctive voice. His journey was one marked by resilience and dedication, not only to his craft but also to the listeners who welcomed him into their homes each day.

CS Soipan Tuya Is Having Sexual Affair With Her Driver- Husband Responds

The article showcased Kenyans' unbroken love for gossip and amidst a divorce case pitting Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and estranged husband, former Narok Member of County Assembly (MCA) Stephen Ole Kudate, the latter responded with an alleged confession that shook the country.

Kudate in response to an application filed by Tuya seeking upkeep and child maintenance, began by claiming that the CS had chased him out of their matrimonial home in Kileleshwa, Nairobi when she was appointed to office in 2022 by President William Ruto.

He revealed that they were legally married having observed all traditional marriage rites, further confirming that they sired two children who in his side of the story, have not been neglected as purported by Tuya.

“As the head of the family, I was a man of means who provided adequately, and she knows that I am jobless, but with the little I have, I effectively play my parental role,” he said.

According to Kudate, he was deliberately denied by the CS from seeing the children and excluded from participating in their children's welfare.

Furthermore, the former MCA sensationally claimed that Tuya had been having a romantic and sexual relationship with her official driver, a matter he said he would base on during his cross-examination of Tuya when the matter is heard.

“The sexual relationship between Tuya and her official driver is a mask for other sexual relationships with other high-ranking individuals in the society,” he went on.

Russia Slams 13 Foreign Powers Urging Raila, Ruto To Embrace Dialogue

Russia on Tuesday, July 18 poured cold water on a statement by Ambassadors and High Commissioners offering to provide support in mediation talks between President William Ruto and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga over the nationwide demonstrations.

The 13 European Ambassadors had earlier delivered a message via a joint statement to Raila and President Ruto saying they should embrace dialogue to avert demonstrations that if not called off, would have led to loss of lives.

They acknowledged the challenges Kenyans face every day and called upon both the Raila and Ruto factions to give dialogue another chance to address issues facing the country in peace.

However, Russia, through its Embassy in Nairobi, accused the foreign powers of meddling with the internal affairs of the country, despite the chaotic protests that have led to the loss of lives and destruction of property.

“If it is not interference in internal affairs, what is it?” the embassy replied in a sentenced statement.

Ex-KTN Reporter Makes Plea After Being Fired From BBC

This article covered former KTN News reporter, Carolyne Bii, who on Wednesday, July 12 announced that she was willing to do media interviews, forums as well as conferences to share her redundancy experience having been laid off from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

In a statement posted on her LinkedIn and Facebook pages, Bii recounted finding herself in an unexpected turn of events in her career journey having been fired from the British state broadcaster after slightly over a year, where she worked as a journalist.

An image of the BBC office in Nairobi. /FILE

She learnt of the redundancy announcement just eight months into her new role at the media house, which also unexpectedly came to her, an announcement which materialised five months thereafter.

"I’ve made a conscious decision: a hard one to talk about my redundancy journey. I’m now branding myself as a redundancy ambassador, its new poster child. Call me for those media interviews, forums and conferences, where you need someone to talk about redundancy. I’m a case study who’s found hope in the ashes," she appealed.

According to Bii, she was a victim of BBC's mass redundancy move triggered by financial decisions and had nothing to do with her work at the media house, though she expressed gratitude to have worked with talented journalists at a media house whereby she developed her skills and knowledge in the competitive industry.

Bulldozers Raid Athi River Homes Hours After Ruto Order

The directive by President William Ruto to revoke the title deeds of those who had not developed land at Athi River for over 10 years shook the country, and a day later, bulldozers raided and demolished several homes, schools and churches.

The Head of State had issued orders over land grabbed from the East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) in the Mavoko sub-county, declaring that land grabbers who had seized the land would be kicked out to pave the way for Export Processing Zones (EPZ) Zone expansion.

Effecting Ruto's directive, more than 20 heavy machinery, under the security of armed General Service Unit (GSU) officers, began flattening permanent and temporary structures on the prime land.

Former Tusker Project Fame contestant Alvan Gatitu alias Alvan Love filmed the exercise which saw activity consisting of a myriad of vehicles coupled with police cars and officers firing teargas to disrupt any form of protests.

Notably, some of the homes were still under construction as the exercise forced residents to seek alternative means of accommodation in a saga that attracted widespread condemnation, including Raila Odinga and his Azimio la Umoja coalition.

UK Military Intercepts Kenya Airways Plane After Detecting Security Threat Mid-Air

Viral Tea's most-read article in its newly launched exclusive aviation segment, a first for any digital media house in Kenya, was a breaking news event covering a Kenya Airways plane which was intercepted by United Kingdom (UK) military aircraft from the Royal Air Force (RAF) while mid-air.

The plane which was to land at London Heathrow on Thursday morning, October 12 was instead diverted to London Stansted Airport. Kenya Airways responded to the interception by revealing that its headquarters received an alert of a potential security threat aboard the affected plane, KQ100.

The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, landed safely at Stansted Airport, for security clearance by UK government security personnel.

The Daily Mail first reported that heavy police presence as well as that of emergency first responders surrounded Stansted Airport, with a section of UK media also reporting that a bomb squad were also at the scene.

So huge was our story that a photo we published depicting the passenger plane at Stansted Airport was carried on a 9 pm news bulletin on Citizen TV, Kenya's biggest and most-watched TV station.

Emergency vehicles at the London Stansted Airport where a Kenya Airways plane was intercepted on October 12, 2023. /PLANE AUDITS

US Police Pose As Hitman Going On A Date To Trap Kenyan Top Banker

It seemed like just an ordinary news article capturing the arrest of a Kenyan in the United States (US) but what sparked huge interest was who that Kenyan was.

The Kenyan national who is a former director of a leading bank in the country was arrested for his alleged involvement in a murder-for-hire scheme in the US. 52-year-old Leonard Thuo Mwithiga was arrested on Monday, December 4 after being suspected of hiring a hitman to kill one of his family members to bring other family members back to Kenya.

U.S. media house NBC reported that the banker was accosted by state police, two days after a confidential informant went to state police reporting that Mwithiga wanted his help finding a hitman to execute the mission.

Viral Tea dug deeper into Mwithiga's profile and discovered his LinkedIn, depicting his decorated 20-year professional career with 14 of them in senior management of the banking and financial services industry.

On his profile, he describes himself as a "passionate, experienced and transformational professional" with expansive experience in banking operations, technology, Innovation and strategic change management.

Mwithiga attained his Ph.D. in Business Administration in 2017 from the University of Nairobi (UoN) where he specialised in Strategic Information and Banking industry, after attaining his Master of Business Administration in 2002 from the same institution. In 1995, Mwithiga attained his bachelor's degree in Physics and Mathematics from Egerton University.

Between 2003 and 2006, Mwithiga worked as the Head of IT at the Central Depository and Settlement Corporation before heading to a multinational bank company as the head of change and performance at the COO's office. He served there for 7 years.

In 2013, he moved to a local bank as the General Manager of Group Shared Services, in the Group COO's Office, and served in the position for 6 months, then a call from another bank promoted a move where he worked as the Service Delivery and IT director up to 2015.

He joined another top bank in 2016, starting as the Group Director for IT in the office of the group COO then was promoted in 2019 to be the ICT Executive Director of the bank's subsidiary.

At the start of 2021, he was promoted to serve as the Group Shared Services Director where he has since served. Some reports however revealed that he left the position a few months ago under Voluntary Early Retirement.

Kenyans Share Harrowing Tales Of Going Through JKIA Customs

In a story that sparked uproar nationwide, leading to government allies announcing reforms at Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Customs and Border Control, this article captured Kenyans lamenting their woes at Customs anytime they return to the country via the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

On Monday, October 30, one Maxwell Otieno took to X (formerly Twitter) to warn Kenyans flying into the country through JKIA on carrying electronics from abroad.

"If you are coming to Kenya via JKIA please don't carry electronics. Either you pay 63% of the market value or leave the item. I've seen guys crying in the arrivals section. Imagine being charged 150k," he wrote.

His post sparked a flood of reactions from Kenyans lamenting how they were subjected to punitive measures by KRA officers stationed at the airport which is worse than regulations at other world airports.

Natasha Kimani, a public policy and governance advocate, narrated how the customs officials go to the extent of charging passengers for bringing in more than one bottle of perfume or alcohol, even with duty-free products.

"Apparently duty-free products bought abroad don’t apply here- we must still pay tax. An extremely unnecessary and hostile experience," she slammed.

Despite a user responding by stating that there is a 250ml limit for perfume imposed per person, Kimani stated "Actually they now say anything over 100ml for perfume is taxable now, even if duty-free and anything over 1L of alcohol. You can only have 1 100ml of perfume and not 250ml".

Another user complained that he was forced to boot up his one-year-old work laptop that he had travelled with to prove it was his and it was used, creating tension among foreigners arriving at the airport with the dread that they would be met with the same fate.

KRA thereafter dismissed the confusion that stemmed from its multiple deleted statements that the agency was planning to tax personal luggage valued at Ksh75,425 (USD500) or more.

Immigration desks at JKIA. /KAA

Viral Tea Makes History With Launch Of Exclusive Segment

admin — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 13:25:25 +0300

When most of us were young, one of the occupations that we really wanted to become while growing up was we wanted to become 'a pilot'.

Anytime an aeroplane flies over our skies, we used to have that instinct of looking up to see which airline was flying over; be it Emirates, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways etc, but we always used to see them at face value.

When our parents took us on our first flight, we were awed, amazed by the rumbling of the twin engines (four for some aircraft) and the roar they make while sprinting down the runway, preparing to take flight to altitudes hitting over 38,000 feet, no matter whether it was flying to Mombasa from Nairobi for holiday, or flying abroad to see your family.

Then, we grew up. The more we got to travel on aeroplanes, the more curious we were about how they work, how airports operate and the profiles of the nice-looking pilots, air hostesses and air stewards among others who work together to ensure that everything from the airport to the aircraft works in tip-top shape every single day.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta enjoying himself inside a cockpit of the first Kenya Airways Dreamliner during it's official reception at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on April 5, 2014. /DAILY NATION

Have you ever wondered what type of engine the plane you're travelling in is composed of? What goes behind the scenes among cabin crews? Or how Immigration at airports is able to bust that woman trying to smuggle cocaine through the arrivals gate? That's why we are here.

Space For Aviation Content

Owing to the increasing demand for aviation content, Viral Tea has created an exclusive space starting today for aviation content remaining true to our principle to 'inform, entertain and educate' our vibrant young audience, anywhere and anytime.

We have done so by creating a special page on our website (www.viraltea.co.ke) and we will publish everything aviation content be it news, features, informative pieces and those wild facts that you did not know related to aviation. Access it here

According to Careers in Aerospace, aviation journalism entails researching and chasing down leads that come across via the various news articles and regulatory documents that land on our desks from around the world on a daily basis.

“You will be responsible for using the leads, information, and sources to build up articles for an English-speaking B2B audience. The other part of your job will require you to build and maintain relationships with people from across the world who will then help you in corroborating stories as well as breaking news," the definition reveals.

What Motivated Us To Start An Aviation Segment?

The popular Netflix documentary dubbed MH370 regarding the events that led up to and followed one of the most mysterious air disasters in aviation history involving Malaysia Airlines 370, which disappeared from the skies in 2014, sparked our mission to bring more content regarding aviation.

If you might have noticed, aviation experts worked hand in hand with journalists specialised in that field to come up with theories surrounding the crash with such passion and knowledge, with the nine-year-old mystery unravelling a new twist.

A 229-page report released on Wednesday, August 30 as reported by UK's The Daily Mail suggested that the missing wreckage could be located about 1,560km west of Perth in Australia, a revelation attributed to 'groundbreaking' amateur radio technology known as a weak signal propagation reporter or WSPR to help detect and track the plane's flight path.

Popularising Aviation Journalism

As aviation journalists have been commonly found in developed countries, barely have we seen any in Kenya and a small number, not less than 10 approximately, are currently making positive strides in boosting aviation journalism in the country for the very first time, one of them being the recently-launched AviHub Network.

"So why doesn’t Kenya have aviation journalism? What can be done to introduce that field? Are we waiting for something major to happen, for example, the Kenya Airways plane crash of 2007 for every Ali, Kamau and Onyango to show his expertise in aviation? (I’m told coverage surrounding it lasted more than a week—constantly.)

"I asked my fellow scribes about this and out of the unsatisfactory answers I got, the only solid one was that there’s a course in journalism at an aviation college in Kenya. But how far does this go?" this writer posed in his opinion article published in The Star newspaper.

The rise and rise in digital journalism has seen increased demand for news coverage on the spot instead of having to wait for prime-time news bulletins at the end of every day, and with that came the rise of digital media platforms with one age-old goal and a few extras; to inform, entertain and educate not just any audience but a target audience.

Collage image of a WRC helicopter in action during the Safari Rally on June 25, 2023. /ITSMILLER_G.TROPIC AIR KENYA

Simply put, Kenyans these days want more than just traditional media reporting losses a local airline has made businesswise as well as flights to Nairobi and beyond, something which prevents users from gratifying their needs.

Traditional Media Vs Viral Tea

A traditional media house would report a major plane crash as breaking news first then other news items that don't necessarily border on aviation.

Viral Tea however promises to use the aviation segment to exhaustively cover the plane crash ranging from technicalities, possible causes, systems of focus and exclusives among others aside from the top stories and breaking news surrounding that plane crash.

Not just plane crashes, Viral Tea has also published explainers regarding how aircraft systems work, and how helicopters are used during events among others, particularly those that have caught the eye of Kenyans, leading to articles like this (that even emerged prior to the creation of this segment):

Small Media House Doing Big Tings

This finding serves as a daily reminder that Viral Tea is committed to bringing you timely and credible news and content at any time of the day, be it articles, social media posts or videos.

With close to 1 million pageviews one year since we launched in February 2021 and averaging tens of thousands of readers every month (and growing), Viral Tea has produced all manner of articles ranging from original pieces to news, entertainment & gossip, business, sports among others and has become without a doubt Kenya's fastest-growing digital native media house since the 2020s began.

With the launch of the aviation segment, Viral Tea became the first digital native media house in the country to have a space dedicated exclusively to aviation content, so much so that we moved our fact-check segment to news content in our small reorganisation process to enhance the experience for you who takes a lunch break to read one of our hottest stories of the day.

Images of planes leaving white trails in their wake. /TWITTER.AIRPLANE CENTRAL/FILE

11 Stories Viral Tea Covered During Elections That You Missed

admin — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 13:39:49 +0300

"Please let there not be a repeat election...," this writer whispers to himself as he writes this article.

The August 9, 2022, general elections were arguably Viral Tea's finest time to reinforce itself as a next-generation startup.

The new website you see here was launched in July, with a one-month countdown to the elections on the horizon. Preparations for what was to be an intense period of election coverage for not just us, but local media houses were something we planned for from the word go.

But because we were understaffed compared to other media houses, we had to carefully plan how we were to ensure our audience doesn't miss a single bit of live action, especially during voting day. We thus planned to come up with one big live blog for the voting day, the tallying and the grand announcement, with rotations on all those occasions on who will cover what.

Residents queue to cast their votes at the Kenyatta Sports Ground polling station in Kisumu County. /DAILY NATION

During the elections period, we did keep to our promise to ensure that our readers "Never Miss A Story" and almost all of our categories were populated with content, some of which Kenyans didn't notice happened.

Therefore, Viral Tea covers the stories you might have missed during the election period:

Carrol Sonie Uncovers Identity Of Married Man Threatening Mulamwah

Kenyan model, actress and social media personality Caroline Muthoni (Carrol Sonie) responded to comedian Mulamwah's uncovering of her new lover by stating that he was her pastor.

Speaking in an Instagram live, Sonie affirmed that she was raised by her family with good principles and that she would never at one point be involved with a married man.

“My parents have raised me well, I want what is good and I have my own principles and I know what is right and what is wrong.

"Whoever was posted his name is pastor Eric Bingez. He's a pastor of mine, he's a friend of mine. He's a counsellor, I would say together with his beautiful wife Evelyne, they are my friend," Sonie narrated.

According to the actress, she had reached out to the pastor when she began having suicidal thoughts and was almost giving up before she turned to him for help.

“I reached out to pastor Eric when I was suicidal and I was tired with life and I was messed up and I said let me talk to some and the person I could talk to that time was pastor Eric. I called him, explained and thank God he was seeing everything that was happening on social media and I told him personally, that I’m tired and done with life.

“Eric together with his wife have been walking with me through all this. Eric is someone I respect together with his family. If I call him when I have an issue he is someone who will come together with his wife and help me and today I wake and I’m being told am dating him,” she added.

A collage of an unknown man hugging Mulamwah's baby mama, Carrol Sonie. /INSTAGRAM

Sonie further accused Mulamwah of being violent to her on multiple occasions while claiming that he sired a child with another woman, outside their relationship.

On Monday, August 8, Mulamwah used his Instagram stories to claim that Sonie was in a relationship with a married man while unleashing the face of her new man as well as that of his wife.

Low Turnout, Memes, KIEMS Kits: Highlights Of August 9 Elections

This was one of those stories that took quite the toll on us given that several sideshows had occurred during the August 9 general elections.

Five years since the controversy that forced Kenyans to vote twice in the 2017 general elections, the Tuesday, August 9, 2022, general elections took place with several eventualities quite a number would like to forget and others remember.

Much of the conversation was surrounding the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits before even the polls began and the issue of the KIEMS kits' functionality was brought to the limelight again.

Also, the earliest to vote in the echelons of the political space included the likes of Martha Karua of the Azimio la Umoja and Deputy President William Ruto, now the President-elect, who turned up at their polling stations within the 6 am opening day.

A general election in Kenya doesn't go by without its fair share of memes, which began in 2017 with the 'Githeri Man' trend. By then, Kenyans were experiencing the peak of their powers on social media as you might recall, the Saudi Arabian social networking service, Sarahah, gained prominence in the country where Kenyans On Twitter (KOT) shared the anonymous messages they received from thousands of their followers.

This year had Towel Man, Mkate Man and the 'Sina Maoni' man who lightened up an elections exercise marred with low turnout.

Click here to read the comprehensive article

Police Launch Manhunt For Didmus Barasa

This was our first live-breaking story since the election exercise began that was reported at night. Typically, Viral Tea has a rule that we steer clear of covering stories past 9 pm-10 pm unless it is really necessary.

Police in Bungoma County launched a manhunt for Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa following a shooting incident at a polling station that left a rival's aide dead.

The incident took place at 6 pm at Chebukhwabi Primary School in Kibingei ward and it left a security guard of his closest rival, Brian Khaemba of the Democratic Action Party (DAP-K), dead, according to a police report seen by Viral Tea.

Khaemba had gone to the polling station to witness the counting of votes following the Tuesday, August 9, 2022, general elections and encountered Barasa on his way in. After about three minutes, Khaemba decided to leave the station and headed to his car with Barasa following him in the company of four men.

He had ordered them not to allow Khaemba to leave the place but his driver, Joshua Nasokho defied the order and switched on the vehicle.

"Hon. Didmus Barasa withdrew a pistol and aimed at Khaemba's aide namely Brian Olunga and shot him on the forehead where profusely bled. He was rushed to Kimilili sub-county hospital where he succumbed while undergoing treatment. Body lying at the hospital," added the police report.

Barasa has since been arrested and as of Tuesday, August 16, he was placed in custody for 10 more days. An autopsy carried out on Khaemba revealed that he was killed by a bullet that was aimed at his head.

Juliani Welcomes Baby With Lillian Nganga

The story of musician and rapper Julius 'Juliani' Owino and former Machakos County First Lady Lillian Nganga has been dominating local headlines that Kenyans barely noticed that the couple sired a baby boy.

Juliani disclosed to Presenter Ali on Wednesday, August 10 that he was pleased with his newfound experience as a father of his son, which is different from when he was raising his daughter.

The Utawala hitmaker noted that the couple had welcomed the newborn a few days before. He wanted to keep the good news a secret from the public eye until he was ready to announce it.

Juliani with Lillian Nganga. /FILE

It is worth it to note that Juliani has a first-born girl, Amor, whom he welcomed with actress Brenda Wairimu. The couple tied the knot at a private wedding in Paradise Lost, Kiambu on February 2, 2022.

The guest list had less than 50 people, including close family and friends.

Statement By Kenya's Youngest MP Candidate After Conceding Defeat

22-year-old environmentalist Anita Soina announced on Wednesday, August 10 that she conceded defeat in her hopes of clinching the Kajiado North parliamentary seat, among the many politicians who declared that they conceded defeat. To simplify it, this has never happened in a common fashion in Kenyan elections before.

Anita, also known as 'The Green MP', announced her plans to vie for the seat in December 2021, saying she understands the challenges of her people. She became the youngest person in the country to contest a seat in the National Assembly.

"It's here. People over profits. Every day it hurts me to see what the people go through. Born to a Maasai dad from Kajiado North, as I trace back to my roots to understand my culture and as a young leader who understands some of the challenges facing the people.

"I have decided to do this. To me, the first step towards solving a problem is getting to that position of a problem solver. Twende Bunge tupiganie haki za wapiga kura!” she stated.

Before her stint in politics, she was the founder of Soina Foundation and Spice Warriors.

Amber Ray's Ex Clinches MP Seat Under UDA Ticket

Socialite Amber Ray's ex and Deputy President William Ruto's ally Zaheer Jhanda is the Member of Parliament elect for Nyaribari Chache Constituency in Kisii County.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate was officially declared as the MP-elect after he garnered 31,684 votes. He was competing against 11 other candidates his long-time political nemesis Richard Tong'i.

Tong'i, a Jubilee leader, who has already conceded defeat had served for two terms. He garnered 10,039 votes and was followed by James Kenani(ODM) who managed 5,086 votes. Journalist Erick Obino of Kanu came a distant fourth with 3,529 votes.

Amber had once dated Jhanda, who married her thereafter for a period of almost three years, but their relationship was mired by many issues, including his first wife accusing her of using evil spirits to break their marriage. The socialite even went to the extent of denouncing her Muslim faith following the divorce.

"I apologize to my son and my family for all the insults they have had to bear in the past because of my decisions," she said.

Willy Paul Snubs Bahati In Elections Congratulatory Message

Nairobi-based musician and songwriter, Wilson Abubakar Radido, alias Willy Paul ignited mixed reactions when he congratulated Mathare Member of Parliament (MP)-elect, Anthony Oluoch at the expense of compatriot Bahati.

In a statement on Instagram on Friday, August 12, the Toto hitmaker lauded Oluoch as the right candidate to lead the people of the Nairobi-based constituency.

"First, congratulations to the one Antony Oluoch for Winning the Mathare MP seat. You are what the people of Mathare need sir.

"You must have really done a good job, sir, retaining that seat is not easy! Keep pushing, Mathare is my home and I'm glad it's in safe hands again," he wrote.

He also congratulated Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o, who clinched the Lang'ata parliamentary seat

"Jalang'o congratulations, you are a living legend and you inspire me a lot. Now take the people of Lang'ata to the next level mheshimiwa (legislator)," he noted.

However, a section of his fans commented by stating that he was subtly mocking Bahati, his long-time rival, who finished third in the parliamentary race.

Watch Evans Kidero Blast Citizen TV Journalist [VIDEO]

A video emerged showing former Nairobi governor Dr Evans Kidero telling off a female Citizen TV reporter to the point of turning down her request for an interview.

The 17-second clip seen by Viral Tea showed Kidero stepping to the front for the interview but he took notice of the actions of the reporter, Laura Otieno, which he did not like.

He accused her of taking her job for granted and questioned her on why she was doing it from the start.

Kidero then turned down her request for an interview after expressing displeasure in terms of her attitude.

Watch the video:

I don't want you to interview me- Evans Kidero to Citizen TV reporter#KenyaDecides2022 pic.twitter.com/NvAipzp1kv
— Marvin Chege (@marvin_chege10) August 13, 2022

Truth About Standard, RMS Statement On Election Results

Our fact check desk was very busy during the elections period as we were getting numerous reports of false information circulating the internet, especially the vote tallying. This was one of them.

A statement by the Standard Media Group (SMG) and Royal Media Services (RMS) with regards to the tallying of the presidential results in the 2022 general elections had been doing rounds on social media since Saturday, August 13.

The statement signed by RMS chairman, S.K. Macharia and ousted Baringo Senator, Gideon Moi indicated that the two media houses had tallying teams for the presidential elections based on Form 34A, with each carrying out their own tallying exercise.

RMS added that it has been tallying results of the previous elections from 2003 to 2017 (both rounds) and displayed the outcome on its screens for purposes of public viewing.

A fact check by Viral Tea confirmed that the alleged statement was false. RMS has had its own platform where Kenyans had access to presidential results as they streamed in, drawn from the Form 34As from the IEBC portal.

Govt Probes 3 Police Misconduct Cases During Elections

The Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA) is now investigating cases of misconduct amongst police officers deployed across the country for security during the August 9 general elections.

In a statement by the chairperson, Anne Makori on Saturday, August 13, IPOA revealed that despite the generally commendable conduct of the officers during the period, it took note of three isolated cases that it has since commenced investigations on.

Among the cases include an incident whereby two men were shot and a woman assaulted allegedly by the police in Eldas in Wajir County. All sustained non-fatal injuries.

It also flagged an incident whereby an officer attached to the Matisi Police Station in Bungoma County attempted to rape a citizen on Wednesday, August 10, 2022.

The agency is also investigating a third incident where a police officer in Uasin Gishu County allegedly shot and injured a political aspirant’s bodyguard on the eve of voting day, Monday, August 8, 2022.

Little-Known Trick By Natalie Tewa To Ward Off Thirsty Men

Kenyan influencer and content creator, Natalie Tewa Wanjiru, dismissed recent reports insinuating that she is engaged.

Photos on social media had captured her wearing what appeared to be an engagement ring, which further stoked curiosity amongst her followers especially after she stopped wearing the ring for a while.

However, she explained in a recent YouTube video that she wears the engagement ring for different reasons, one of them being that she uses it to ward off advances from men.

“I have this thing where I will wear an engagement ring every now and then because I like the aesthetic. Number two, it helps as a woman,” she explained.

“I came up with this idea when I was 22/23 because men are disgusting, honestly some men are doing the most, so you don’t want to be disturbed or bother and when you wear a ring, it will not bring all the respect that you want but they will respect that you have a ring.”

Tewa added that she started wearing rings just to chase men away. At the time, she was working with a jewellery company which sent her a package to market for them and she chose an engagement ring.

A photo collage of Mombasa Governor, Hassan Joho and Natalie Tewa. /GHAFLA

On pregnancy rumours, she dismissed them by revealing that she was approached by a friend who asked her to market her baby shop on social media.

Conclusion

As compared to the traditional method of news coverage which has failed to meet the needs of users, Viral Tea morphed into multiple forms of content, especially to satisfy our Kenyan users who are in the youth category and almost always on their phones surfing social media and doing 1...2...3.

Our content is divided into three divisions, all of which were kept busy during the intense election period. Social media was arguably our complement but our main driver was the editorial, with videos capturing special events and two of the grand announcements, William Ruto as president-elect and Raila Odinga rejecting his election.

We knew very well to countercheck every source sending us information before relaying it across our channels. Some of our readers did call/message us several times to confirm if the results were true if things like Form 34C were uploaded to the IEBC portal, and so on.

The response has always been the same, "wait for IEBC to announce the results officially", much to their disappointment. Even the smallest of media startups can have information that could trigger chaos, so we cannot please everyone.

On Monday, August 15, we got a few articles over the line, then paused to wait for the biggest story of the elections; who would win? By then, we readied our graphics for social media coupled with downloading pictures and portraits of the top two candidates and planned on how we would break the big story and disseminate it across our channels and networks with breakneck speed and sniper accuracy plus precision.

However, neither of us was expecting the four IEBC commissioners to stage a parallel press conference which found one of us focusing on that story and the other ready to break the announcement from the IEBC headquarters. That Monday was massive, from Chebukati being attacked to Azimio la Umoja taking fault over the results to Ruto stepping out and leaving...and it didn't stop there after that announcement.

While the whole country stepped out of their houses to celebrate Ruto's win, we were no doubt kept very busy. Ruto's address to journalists followed and we were on cue to provide content touching on the highlights of that presser with local and international media houses.

We were dealing with several congratulatory messages, some we admittedly missed, from Heads of State to politicians to celebrities to prominent Kenyans. You could tell this was one of our most intense periods since we began as we were retiring to bed some minutes to 1 am.

At Viral Tea, we all know this would be over, but we all feared that Raila Odinga would challenge the results at the Supreme Court, one way or another, just like he did in 2013 and 2017 (the latter his petition passed through). With the 2017 memories, we thought "Crap, we might be heading to another intense period thanks to the repeat election."

Raila Odinga speaking at the Azimio media centre on August 16, 2022. /RAILA ODINGA

As if it was not enough, Cherera and Chebukati have been trading blows against each other over the presidential results, but much of the content focused on Cherera's 0.01 per cent Mathematical error, which we calculated carefully.

If Raila files his petition before Monday, August 22, this will mean 14 days of coverage and anxiously waiting for it to fail, because a repeat of 2017 could lead us to 60 days of election coverage, inclusive of campaigns...more intense work on our hands if it comes to pass.

As for now, we wait for our next challenge, the swearing-in of Ruto as president on Tuesday, August 30. A LinkedIn user typed this and was so gracious to tag us in the comments alongside established media personalities such as James Smart and Idah Waringa as well as media houses such as Capital FM.

Comments like these always keep us grinding and growing to bring you vibrant and credible information on a daily basis. Read it below:

Viral Tea Ke - : In-House

Viral Tea Rebrands After 5 Years: From A Vantage Point

From Viral Hits to Strategic Storytelling

Collage of the new Vantage Ke logos

Award-Winning Growth Meets Reinvention

AvKenya Still in the Cockpit

A Name That Signals Perspective

The Bigger Picture

10 Most Read Stories On Viral Tea In 2025

A person using his smartphone. /FILE

See you in 2026!

Photo of a laptop and a phone at an office. /BUSINESS RADAR

Viral Tea Named Kenya's Best News & Entertainment Platform In 2025

Screengrab of Viral Tea being recognised as the best news and entertainment platform in Kenya in 2025. /MEA MARKETS

Graphic of the State of Media Survey Report 2024 ranking Viral Tea among most visited news websites in Kenya. /VIRAL TEA KE

Media Council Ranks Viral Tea Among Most Popular News Websites

Screengrab of the State of Media Survey Report 2024 ranking the most visited news websites in Kenya. /MEDIA COUNCIL OF KENYA

Graphic of the State of Media Survey Report 2024 ranking Viral Tea among most visited news websites in Kenya. /VIRAL TEA KE

Viral Tea, TUKO.co.ke Unite To Empower Journalism Students On Digital Disruption

Marvin Chege (first-row centre) of Viral Tea and Chris Oyier of TUKO.co.ke (behind him) pose for a photo with students and lecturers after the TUKO Educate masterclass at USIU-Africa on April 27, 2024. /UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY-AFRICA

Jacob Otieno, TUKO.co.ke's Managing Editor, during the TUKO Educate masterclass at Multimedia University (MMU). /HANDOUT

Viral Tea Among Top 20 News Websites In Kenya- Feedspot Ranking

A graphic of Viral Tea Ke website. /VIRAL TEA KE

Access here: 20 Best Kenya Politics Blogs and Websites

Viral Tea was ranked second in the Pride Of Kenya Awards. /PRIDE OF KENYA AWARDS

Viral Tea Ranked Among Leading Digital Media Houses In Pride of Kenya Awards

Viral Tea was ranked second in the Pride Of Kenya Awards. /PRIDE OF KENYA AWARDS

The Viral Tea Story So Far

A screenshot of Viral Tea's website. /VIRAL TEA KE

Most Read Articles On Viral Tea Website In 2023

King Kalala Goes After Fake X Account Which Leaked Adriana Wanjiku Video

Side by side of radio presenter King Kalala and Adriana Wanjiku. /INSTAGRAM.KING KALALA.ADRIANA WANJIKU

Legendary Radio Presenter Musungu Kyumbe Dies

CS Soipan Tuya Is Having Sexual Affair With Her Driver- Husband Responds

Russia Slams 13 Foreign Powers Urging Raila, Ruto To Embrace Dialogue

Ex-KTN Reporter Makes Plea After Being Fired From BBC

An image of the BBC office in Nairobi. /FILE

Bulldozers Raid Athi River Homes Hours After Ruto Order

UK Military Intercepts Kenya Airways Plane After Detecting Security Threat Mid-Air

Emergency vehicles at the London Stansted Airport where a Kenya Airways plane was intercepted on October 12, 2023. /PLANE AUDITS

US Police Pose As Hitman Going On A Date To Trap Kenyan Top Banker

Kenyans Share Harrowing Tales Of Going Through JKIA Customs

Immigration desks at JKIA. /KAA

Viral Tea Makes History With Launch Of Exclusive Segment

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta enjoying himself inside a cockpit of the first Kenya Airways Dreamliner during it's official reception at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on April 5, 2014. /DAILY NATION

Space For Aviation Content

What Motivated Us To Start An Aviation Segment?

Popularising Aviation Journalism

Collage image of a WRC helicopter in action during the Safari Rally on June 25, 2023. /ITSMILLER_G.TROPIC AIR KENYA

Traditional Media Vs Viral Tea

Small Media House Doing Big Tings

Images of planes leaving white trails in their wake. /TWITTER.AIRPLANE CENTRAL/FILE

Top 10 Most Read Articles On Viral Tea In 2022

11 Stories Viral Tea Covered During Elections That You Missed

Low Turnout, Memes, KIEMS Kits: Highlights Of August 9 Elections

Conclusion

**The Viral Tea Story So Far**